Barcelona charged with tax fraud over Neymar signing

Judge charges club with 'infringement against tax authority' whilst the Spanish champions deny any wrongdoing over transfer.

Barcelona have been charged by a Spanish court with committing tax fraud in the signing of the Brazil forward Neymar last year, a court spokesman said on Thursday.

"Judge Pablo Ruz has charged FC Barcelona with an infringement against the tax authority relating to the purchase of the Brazilian player," the spokesman said.

Barça, however, have denied any wrongdoing.

"The club's actions have, at all times, regarding that operation [to sign Neymar] and in line with the available information, been fully compliant with existing law," Barça said in a statement.

"At the same time [Barça] states its complete availability to collaborate with the justice authorities in this process, as it has been doing from the first moment, or in any other that might require its intervention."

Neymar's high-profile move from Santos in the close season is also being investigated for possible misappropriation of funds following a complaint from a Barça member and the scandal has already brought about the resignation of club president Sandro Rosell.